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08 October 2005

This year mark the 135th anniversary of General Lee’s death. Lee crossed the eternal river on the morning of October 12th, 1870. For several evenings prior to Lee’s death, the northern lights had lit up the night sky. As Douglas Southall Freeman would later write,“. . . some saw in it a beckoning hand. One Lexington woman took down a copy of The Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers and pointed significantly to this quatrain: ‘All night long the northern streamers Shot across the trembling sky: Fearful lights, that never beckon Save when kings or heroes die.’”

Mrs. Lee would note that, “He had take leave of earth though perfectly conscious until the last 24 hours.” As Lee’s spirit departed its earthly habitat, Lee gave his parting command, “Strike the tent.” Even 135 years after his death, General Robert E. Lee continues to command us. He commands us, by his noble example and by his wise words,

To be gentlemen: “The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him.”

To be humble: “It is necessary we should be humble and taught to be less boastful, less selfish, and more devoted to right and justice to all the world.”

To be good examples: “One of the best ways I know to induce students to attend chapel is to be sure that we attend ourselves.”

To know what is truly important in life: “We must all try to be good Christians-that is the most important thing.”

To do our duty: “Let every man remember that all he holds dear depends on the faithful discharge of his duty.”

To appreciate Creation: “What a beautiful world God in His loving kindness to His creatures has given us! What a shame that men endowed with reason and knowledge of right should mar his gifts!”

To listen more than we speak: “I deem it wisest for me to remain silent.”

To love our neighbor: “Occupy yourself in aiding those more helpless than yourself.”

"Thank you for your . . . great support for this project. As always it was a pleasure to work with you on The Rebel Yell. You are a big part of Our Cause." ~ Mr. J.L.D. (Laurie) Woodruff, Executive Director and Editor, The Essential Civil War Curriculum

"Thank you for giving your time and expertise to lead the tour. As I mentioned to the group when we started today, the Civil War Sesquicentennial has been so successful in the Valley thanks to the generous work of people such as you. Today was another sterling example of that." ~ Terry Heder,Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation

"I am always encouraged by your energy and devotion to the many fine features and heritage of American life. Thank you! Your blog shines on like a beacon in the darkness." ~ David Corbett, Battlefield Balladeers

Handpicked as one “of the internet's best blogs and forums for students of Civil War history” by the Civil War Trust.

“Shenandoah Valley native Richard Williams maintains this lively blog with its focus on the Valley and its importance to the Civil War.”